Page | 2
CANADIAN TRAFFIC RULES AND ROAD SIGNS
TRAFFIC RULES
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Permitted blood alcohol levels are mandated by the provinces and territories. Please do not drive under the
influence of alcohol and/or drugs!
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
Traffic lights are suspended across the intersection. Left turn arrows indicate that you can safely turn
left while the oncoming traffic is still stopped at a red light.
After you have come to a complete stop and made sure the intersection is clear of all vehicles, cyclists and
pedestrians, you may turn right despite a red light in the U.S. and Canada except for the island of Montreal in
Québec. Exceptions are often limited to certain times and clearly posted as below.
Example on the left:
Turning right is prohibited on red.
Example on the right:
Turning right is prohibited from Monday to Friday, 7AM - 9AM and
4PM - 6PM (no matter whether there are traffic lights or not).
SEAT BELT
Canadian and U.S. laws require driver and all passengers to be seated with the seat belt fastened when the
vehicle is in motion.
SPEED LIMITS
The Speed limit in most urban areas is 50 km/h, and on highways either 80 or 100 km/h, unless otherwise
posted.
PEDESTRIANS
Canadian drivers are usually very polite and considerate. Pedestrians have the right of way.
DRIVER'S LICENSES
We require your national license for RV rentals. Foreign licenses are generally accepted in Canada. However,
we recommend carrying an international driver's license in addition, unless your original license is issued in
English or French.
GPS SYSTEMS AND HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
Your RV's external dimensions and gross vehicle weight (GVW) are shown on a windshield sticker and in the
manual. GPS systems do not provide any information on height restrictions on your planned route. Always
check restriction signs for tunnels, overpasses, gas stations, roof constructions, ferries, etc.! Drive-thrus at fast
food outlets or entry ways to hotels/motels are generally too low for RV’s!
As a general rule: the minimum clearance must be 3.70 m or 12 ft. for all of our vehicles.
HOV LANE (HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANE)
HOV lanes are for vehicles with two or more people inside. These lanes may only be used by vehicles
that carry the minimum required number of people. The HOV lane symbol is a diamond,
which is indicated on many HOV signs and above all, on HOV lanes. Example of signs:
Left:
HOV lane for buses and vehicles with at least 3 people starts here.
Right:
From 5AM to 11PM, this lane is an HOV lane for buses and vehicles with at least 3
people only. During the time from 11PM to 5AM, this lane may also be used by vehicles with fewer people.
